John F. Kowalik, Sr. (May 10, 1910 – January 7, 1978) was an American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1931 to 1933. During Kowalik's three seasons as a starter, the Michigan football team compiled a record of 23–1–2, including consecutive national championships for the 1932 and 1933 teams. He was a teammate of future President of the United States Gerald Ford on the 1932 and 1933 Michigan teams. While at Michigan, Kowalik was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the Druids. He graduated from Michigan in 1934 with a bachelor of science degree in education. He played professional football for the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1934. His son, John F. Kowalik, Jr., played college football as a halfback for the University of Michigan from 1960 t